Anthar suggests, “We should be rewarding you, not the other way around.”
Ornan, “Those bows and the better swords might fetch a small price back in Minas Tirith, don’t be so quick to hand them off.”
Merry, “We should hold onto the weapons for now, they might provide more clues to this troop. If Gimli is coming he knows much about smithing.”
[ooc: Sorry, I’ve been absent. Let’s assume I’ve been standing watch and not taking part in the interrogation. As I might be the youngest, and very likely look the youngest, it is understandable why that would be]
I will try to score an extra quiver’s worth of arrows. Are their arrows any good?
Brin: (to no one in particular) These are no goblins of the Lonely Mountain. These orcs are larger. I know little of the tribes of Isengard and Mor…over there (catching himself before saying the name, then pointing with a head movement), but isn’t it odd, even in these times, for the two to cooperate?
It is late. The woods will not be safe at night. We should see the family safely back, and return under day’s light, preferable with reinforcements. I’ve not the sight of the Elves, and I’d rather not blunder into an orc trap in the dark.
Brin is right - our first duty is to get the innocents to safety, and to hand over our remaining prisoners. What mercy they will receive is not ours to decide, but we should report that they have helped with our enquiries and leave it to the King’s justice; I suppose they will escape hanging.
I will inspect the yew that Ghân found and see if it is worth pruning the tree - taking his advice on how best to do this without damaging it, of course. I’ll also take one quiver of orc arrows for now, but assuming we get back to base all right, I’ll not hang on to them.
We should regroup and pull out - suggest Mulligan Took and myself position ourselves as rearguards while the wagons start rolling. We will not be going quickly. Alternatively, I can ride back and tell Lord Gimli that he need not hurry.
But as to reinforcements - we are enough for a scouting expedition, especially with our magicians rested and re-spelled. I would not have our noble friends think that we needed our hands held at the first sign of danger!
The arrows are good enough, better suited to Brin than Gil.
The Yews would yield some good bow staves and some material for your high quality footed arrows. (short bit of hard wood near the head and softwood for the main shaft) The heartwood would be perfect for the head of the shaft. As you don’t need any bowstaves currently, you are probably better off just noting their location. Harvesting said is very tough on the Yews.
Merry, “Gil-Gandel, I think you should ride in haste to let Gimli know where we are and what we have learned. In the meantime we can turn these wagons around and start back.”
Brin, you realize the wagon is now much closer to the road going forward than back.
All duly noted. I’ll leave the trees be for now, then: I’m not in need at the moment and there’s no call to damage them.
Mounting up and off to rendezvous with Gimli and the reinforcements.
I’m not sure I understand what you are saying. Going forward to somewhere would get us to a safe haven more quickly than backtracking?
We have come round in a circle
Seeing as no decisions have been made about the money, I will leave it with Merry at the moment.
If Gil-Galad is making all haste back to Gimli, Brin can I suggest you scout forward and lead the wagons back to road. The stronger members of the party can help move the wagons, I’ll take a rear point and keep an eye out for any more Orcs, if re-inforcements are coming.
Although the party is working together superbly 
, Ghân (who reveres life) says he is depressed that a captive has been killed.
This is not the King’s Justice (and anyway if word spreads we kill prisoners, nobody will surrender to us.)
Turning to the orc camp, he’s not sure what ‘farspeaking’ is, but it sounds like a Magic User spell.
Unless Gash has a device:
Deor, you’ll be able to Sleep 1-4 Uruk-Hai.
If you are use ESP, that would be the perfect interrogation spell. It’s a 2nd level spell, but since it would be great for the party, maybe we could all chip in to help you buy it.
I suggest we split the money equally - with Ornan, Anthor and Moose all getting a share.
Let’s hope that it is device based.
Brin: I’ll do my best, though my eyes are not suited to the night. Once to the road, perhaps we could use lanterns to light our way.
Channeling DM of the Rings, Anthor was a near hostage, and should be paying us. And while looting corpses is a D&D staple, it doesn’t seem as right in LotR. Looting wizard towers, however, is acceptable.
I do apologize for that, I…um…didn’t mean to harm the orc, and would ask your forgiveness. I will gladly help push or pull the carts or put my talents to use as the party sees most fit.
Ghân: Anthor did fight alongside us, which is why I suggested it. Also I have no problem searching the criminal orcs killed in fair fight to see what they have stolen.
Ghân: Friend Gwaelur, we live in troubled times. I thank you for your just words.
You acted in haste and are not to be compared in any way to these foul orcs who rob, kidnap and enslave.
I’m afraid Gil-*Galad * did something many years ago which effectively precluded his ever appearing in polite society again. Mind you, he could probably have cracked the rest of this adventure single-handed. 
That’s OK. I’m not polite society.
So Gil-Gandel heads quickly to Norvon and then Gimli.
Brin realizes, the orc brought the wagons off the road, heading west in a semi-circle. Thusly, at this point you are nearly back to the road and only a third of a mile west of where they first left the road.
The family kicks in to help lead and push the wagons back to the road. Mulligan takes rear guard as Ghân, Moose and Merry take the lead. Everyone else pitches in with pushing or pulling as needed. The 4 prisoner thrown on the middle wagon.
Anthor: “You have done so much for us already; it is more than enough that you are willing to return our looted gold. Please don’t give me extra. We are already in your debt forever. If ever you come to Nardol Vale, look for us to start repaying you.” 11 shares?
Moose to Ghân, “I don’t understand this share and loot stuff.”
Merry, “Indeed, I think if Gil-Galad had returned this Sorcerer would be dead in short order. Aiglos would make short work of these ragtag orcs and their ragtag leader. We should try and track him down ourselves come dawn. Though I will feel better with Gimli along.”
Brin (deadpan): Track down who? Gil-galad? I’m not sure I wish to be tracking down long dead elves. Besides, the orcs and their sorcerer are a more immediate threat. Brin turns away such that most others can’t see his wry smile as Merry works out the statement. Ghan, who should be with Brin, might be able to see it.
Deor: I think our immediate goal should be to meet up with Gimli. Let’s work on that and then make a decision about where to go next.
Thoroncir agrees. Knowing what we do of the orcs’ camp, he would press on rather than await reinforcements. After getting the family to a safe place, we should fully inform Gimli for word to be taken back to Minas Tirith, but then conduct a reconnaissance in force without further ado.
Gwaelur is torn between wanting to take the fight to the orcs, and wanting to meet up with Gimli. At the very least he needs to go back for his ponies and all his supplies, he only has his shield and war axe with him.
Yes, it would be well to be provisioned for what could prove a long expedition. We should all bring what we need to support us through a campaign of at least a week or two in rough country - although I for my part do not like to burden myself over-much. We can be back by first light, with rest time for those that need it.